MN HF4009

Urges Congress to pass the National Guard 12304b Benefits Parity Act to extend TRICARE health benefits, Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits, and retirement age reductions to National Guard and Reserve members deployed under 10 U.S.C. section 12304b.

National Defense Authorization Act (2012) authorized Department of Defense to deploy National Guard and Reserve forces under section 12304b, but Congress did not update corresponding benefit provisions in titles 10 and 38 of U.S. Code.

More than 40 soldiers from Minnesota National Guard's 204th Area Support Medical Company deployed to the Sinai Peninsula in September 2014 under section 12304b but were denied benefits upon return; approximately 400 soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry are mobilizing for a similar nine-month Sinai deployment in summer 2016.

The proposed legislation would be retroactive to the National Defense Authorization Act (2012) to ensure National Guard soldiers already deployed, currently deployed, or future deploying have access to the same benefits as those deployed under other authorities.

Directs Minnesota Secretary of State to transmit copies of this memorial to the President, Congress leadership, Senate and House Armed Services Committee chairs, and Minnesota's congressional delegation.